Fortune favors the bold

We just moved into our house a couple weeks ago and I transferred my cable service. I had a pretty good deal at the apartment so I thought if I transferred it that the conditions of that deal would be the same. After all, I am the same customer, getting the same service, just a different house.

Well, I was wrong.

My bill went up about 20% so I called to complain. They explained the deal was for that residents not for me as the customer. They did end up giving me a discount for three months of way more than 20% and told me to call back for new deals in a month or so.

Maybe I'm slow but I guess it just dawned on me that the cable companies, phone companies, etc. favor the people that complain. The system is set up to prey on the meek. They want you to call all the time so they can try to tack on services. However, if you are a reasonably strong willed person (I tend towards the "can't we all get along" meek crowd) , you can get good deals by resisting their sales pitches.

The meek may inherit the earth but they sure get taken on their cable bill.

It took a while but I think I'm starting to realize the difference between standing up for yourself and being overbearing.

God is Good!

We got our house! Check out my wife's blog. She's got the whole story.

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Romans 8:28 (New Living Translation)
New Living Translation (NLT)

Buying a house

Well, the process of buying a house has been...interesting. We have made a total of 3 offers and have written up a total of 5 offers. The house we are currently trying to get is a foreclosure and the bank we are dealing with is in absolutely no hurry to get the thing sold. We've been waiting about 45 days so far for an answer. They said it could take up to 60 days. Lisa and I are getting so frustrated that were are thinking about pulling the offer and going after a previous home we put an offer on but they wanted too much. Its just been crazy. OH, and get this, the company we were using for realestate needs when belly-up before Christmas! They didn't even tell their employees until it happened...bunch of the realtors can taken for a lot of commissions. Merry Christmas, you're fired!

Stay tuned...more drama to come.

Pine Cove

We just got back from Pine Cove Camp in east Texas. My wife signed us up for a weekend parenting conference. I honestly went to appease her was pleasantly surprised. The facilities are awesome and I really enjoyed it! We are definitely going back. Check out the website.

In a Galaxy Far, Far Away.....

My loving wife supported one of my nerd addictions this past week and went with me to the Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Very, very cool exhibit! I was in a geeky euphoria. My wife said it was funny to walk around and see the people that were there for the exhibit and the women who loved them. I told her she should start a support group for spouses of Star Wars addicted nerds.

paraskavedekatriaphobia

paraskavedekatriaphobia - "Fear of Friday the 13th" - Personally, I'm not superstitious...I think it's bad luck if you are.

Other interesting phobias*

• parishiltoskiniphobia - fear of fake, skinny celebrities
• frapamocolattedekaphobia - fear of Star Bucks
  
• phobiaphobia - fear of phobias

*Possibly made up by me

ABC News: Clinton, Edwards Talk of Limited Debates

ABC News: Clinton, Edwards Talk of Limited Debates

I'm amazed how often people are "caught" by microphones saying things. They're are microphones everywhere for this debate! How dumb can you be!?! This happened to Bush too during a press conference.